Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM) today announced that I-O Data, a leading supplier of multimedia devices, launched its networked DVD media player called the AVeL LinkPlayer.

Based on Sigma's EM8620L media processor, this new model from I-O Data's LinkPlayer family features support for Windows Media(R) Video 9 (WMV9) format as well as wireless networking.

The AVeL LinkPlayer is a convenient multi-function product, offering all the features of an enhanced DVD player, as well as being networked to a PC media center. The I-O Data AVeL LinkPlayer enables consumers to enjoy a completely integrated entertainment experience by accessing their digital movies, photos, and music anywhere in the home, thanks to the use of advanced wireless technology. Using its enhanced DVD player functions, it also offers DVD video, music CD, DVD+/-R/RW or CD-R/RW support.

This new product is an upgraded, premium model of the first LinkPlayer launched in November of last year, which introduced networked playback of digital content stored on a PC. Premium features include:

With PCs becoming the media center for home entertainment, consumers have more flexibility in storing and collecting a myriad of content. As a result, networked DVD player functionality allows consumers to remotely access all the digital music, photos and video stored on their PC, in addition to normal DVD playback. Sigma media processors are designed to address this need, decoding major digital media formats and facilitating control of an embedded network device.

"The trend toward home entertainment networks and streaming audio/video is reflected in this new networked DVD player from I-O Data," said Ken Lowe, vice president of strategic marketing, Sigma Designs. "With an endless choice of video, audio, photo, and other media, which consumers are collecting, opportunities to unite the entertainment library are quickly becoming a convenient necessity."

Availability

The I-O Data AVeL LinkPlayer will be available in Japan on September 15th 2004. The complete system will retail around JPY31,500. Also it will be available in USA at the end of October 2004. The complete system will retail below USD300.00.

About the EM8620L Media Processor

The EM8620L media processor from Sigma Designs provides a complete single-chip solution for next generation IP video and connected media players, featuring high definition Windows Media Video 9 support. The EM8620L offers a wide range of media processing functions for video decoding, audio decoding, and graphics processing based on REALmagic(R) HD technology, for the highest quality image possible on high definition displays. For single-chip systems, it features an on-chip RISC processor, PCI-bus, IDE controller and additional peripheral ports for supporting other subsystems.